Nail Your Next Interview
Published on Nov 18, 2015
3 keys to nailing your next job interview. You put a lot of time into getting the interview, you want to be sure to take advantage of every opportunity to get hired.
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
You put a lot of effort into your job search. When you finally get the interview you want, here's how to land that job.
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1. Confidence
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Don't focus on the wrong things
Too old? Too short? Too...
Many people blow their interview because they're focused on the wrong things. Don't let what you can't control overtake what you can control. Your age, your looks, your height, and even your lack of experience for a specific position are all things you can't necessarily control. They may all be valid concerns, but you can eliminate or at least reduce your fears by being prepared to confront those concerns head on with solid examples of your work and your abilities.
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Confidence in Your Abilities
More important than confidence you'll be hired
Don't worry about whether the company will hire you--again, that's out of your control. What's in your control is making sure the interviewer knows what your abilities are and what type of employee you are.
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2. Preparation
There are many different things you can do to prepare for a job interview. Following are just some examples.
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Do your research
Research the company online--start with Google and LinkedIn. See what the company is saying on its social media channels. Look at their latest press releases to learn about their latest news. These days, so much information is available online, there's no excuse for not researching the company. Form a question for the interview about something you've learned about the company.
Answer questions the interviewer might ask
As part of your research, Google "job interview questions" and be prepared to answer many of them. For example:
Why should I hire you?
What kind of employee are you?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Give an example of a negative experience you handled well.
How would your coworkers describe you?
Tell me about yourself.
Why are there gaps in your employment history?
Why did you leave your last job?
Why should I hire you?
What kind of employee are you?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Give an example of a negative experience you handled well.
How would your coworkers describe you?
Tell me about yourself.
Why are there gaps in your employment history?
Why did you leave your last job?
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Practice positive word choices
No interviewer wants to hear someone complain about why a situation in their last job wasn't fair. But you'd be surprised what you give away in the way that you speak. Words like "can't," "not," "but," "never" and even "no" are ones to pay attention to. If relating a story, decide to talk about a "challenge" not a "problem." Do you take responsibility for your job and your experiences or do you talk about "fault" and not having any power. Practice positive word choices in general and this will become natural for you.
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Examples of your vision & skills
Are you an employee who simply does what he is told or do you have vision and see the bigger picture? Relate stories in which you added value to the company, your department or your team.
If you're older and concerned you might be seen as too old for a position, show your willingness to learn new things, your facility with tech, etc.
If you're younger and feel you might not be experienced enough, relate stories of your maturity, times you've stepped up and led, etc.
If you're older and concerned you might be seen as too old for a position, show your willingness to learn new things, your facility with tech, etc.
If you're younger and feel you might not be experienced enough, relate stories of your maturity, times you've stepped up and led, etc.
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3. BLTs
(Big Little Things)
Especially as our attention spans keep shrinking, the first five minutes, even the first minute of an interview, can make or break you. Following are just some of the things you need to pay attention to so that your first 5 minutes go well.
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Dress appropriately
You don't always have to wear a suit. Dress appropriately for the position you are seeking and the company you are interviewing at.
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Be on time (10 min early)
Never be late. Traffic doesn't count as an excuse. If you're 30 minutes early, wait in the parking lot listening to music or reading your resume over one last time. Then go in 10 to 15 minutes early.
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Treat the receptionist well
Smile, say hello. Treat the receptionist as if he or she is the one hiring you.
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Make use of the wait time
(not on your phone)
Your cellphone should be off before you even enter the building. While waiting in the lobby, be an observer. Is there reading material about the company? Awards on the wall? Check them all out. Watch employees who enter and exit, you'll get a sense of the dress code, the camaraderie, etc.
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How's your handshake?
Your handshake should be firm but not so tight you can hurt someone.
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Remember
The Goals of the Interview
The goal of your interview is not really to get the job--remember to focus on what's in your control. Every relationship is built on trust and to hire you, the interviewer needs to get a sense they can trust you. There are two goals to your job interview.
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1. Demonstrate you have the ABILITY to do the job
One goal is to effectively demonstrate that you have the ability to do the job well. Your task is to make sure you've given the interviewer enough good details and stories to have no doubt that you can do the job well and would make a great employee.
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2. Get info you need to decide if you want the job.
The second goal is to get enough information to decide if you want the job. Remember, you are interviewing them as well. Is the job a good fit for both of you?
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